Page 70 of Dueling the Suitors

“Don’t. Even. Think. About it,” she gritted through her teeth.

Cyrus’ smile was unrepentant. “I have no choice. Our people are asking.”

“Doesn’t mean they should get it; you will spoil them,” she protested.

His eyes turned playful. “I have spoiled my people enough over the last six years. One more time wouldn’t hurt. Why else do you think they blessed me instead of cursing me like they did their former king?”

She narrowed her eyes. “I don’t believe you.”

“One day you will,” he said and dipped her backwards.

Astoria let out a startled gasp and grabbed the clasp of his cloak for support. She stared at him wildly. “What are you—”

“Relax, I’m not going to kiss you—at least, not your lips,” he said, his eyes still playful. “But if we have to sell our kiss to the crowd, we need to make it look real.”

She panicked. “I don’t know how—”

“Wrap one arm around my neck and tilt your head. Leave the rest to me.”

“Can you not simply cast an illusion?” She didn’t trust leaving the rest to him.

Cyrus shot her a devious smile and brought his face down to hers. Astoria’s heart beat like it would burst out of her chest.

“Now.”

She wrapped her arm around his neck helplessly and felt his lips press to the corner of her mouth.

Her heart stopped momentarily, remembering the first time he had kissed her on their wedding day. While that one had beenbrief, this time, his lips lingered on her skin longer, angling his head to make it look like they were sharing a passionate kiss.

When he pulled away and straightened her, Astoria saw the intensity burning in Cyrus’ eyes and swallowed the lump in her throat. She had seen that look several times over the last week but failed to decipher its meaning.

Most of all, she wondered why he had avoided kissing her mouth. He knew it would agitate her. While she was thankful, why hadn’t he taken advantage of the chance?

“I swore to myself after I kissed you at our wedding that the next time I kissed you, it would be with your consent,” he said, as though reading her mind.

Astoria snapped out of her daze. “In your dreams,” she spat, letting her arms fall.

She reached up her hand and was surprised to find her crown still perched on her head, steady as ever. Cyrus’s gaze followed her motion. His eyes gleamed. She stiffened. He must have supported it. Somehow, that realization unsettled her even more, and she quickly dropped her hand.

Cyrus grinned. “Just remember that I could’ve taken advantage of this and didn’t.”

“Oh, what do you want? My gratitude?” she hissed through a pasted-on smile, keeping her eyes on the crowd.

“Your trust.”

Astoria couldn’t help the scoff that escaped her. “Likethat’sever going to happen.”

Cyrus’ sigh fell on her ears. “Not today. But one day, Little Dragon, I will earn your trust.”

Astoria ignored the strange flutter in her stomach at the softness of his words, as well as the urge to reply to him. There was no point. He’d have to see it for himself.

* * *

Astoria couldn’t wait to retreat to her room. Sleep sounded tempting. She was more worn out than she had been on her wedding day. However, every time Cyrus caught her eye, she masked her exhaustion with a look reserved for a Princess-turned-Empress.

She missed Emmett today more than ever. On occasions like this, he had been her sole confidant, the one who chased off unwanted men from her and danced with her as much as she wanted to, so she wouldn’t feel left out. She missed even Silas. Astoria hated that she couldn’t remember her middle brother without remembering that her husband had used the same name for his deceit.

She missed how Silas would catch her eye across the dance floor. He would silently ask her for the next dance so he could excuse himself from the daughter of the Earl who annoyed him by constantly vying for his attention. Sometimes, he would appear at her elbow out of nowhere and grab her arm, saying, “Dance with me before Lady Riana catches me.”

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